CBC News
“Go Public” ran a story recently about the “dark secret” of religious schools.
Initially, the story got a lot of attention, but was then swept away as the
SNC-Lavalin scandal took on new life with Minister Jane Philpott’s resignation
from the federal cabinet. Nevertheless, the “dark secret” of the Surrey
Christian School in B.C. managed to ignite a social media frenzy.

Thousands
of Canadians took umbrage at the “discriminatory” nature of religious schools
receiving government money while requiring teachers and staff abide by the
schools’ code of conduct.

Three
points come to mind that need to be addressed. First, this is not a “dark”
secret; second, this is not a “secret;” finally, the government funding
argument is a red herring.

The
notion of exposing a “dark” secret suggests there is something sinister about a
religious community establishing a school in accordance with its religious
teachings. One cannot help but notice the unease – even outright aversion – expressed
by many commentators against Christian institutions. Those of us who have
committed our lives to working in the Christian charitable sector have no
choice but to develop a thick skin as we continue to minister. Indeed, given
our faith’s high expectations, it is hardly surprising that, when we fail, we
are harshly judged not only by ourselves but by the public.

It is
simply untrue, however, to imply that Christian schools are “dark” because they
expect staff to abide by the contracts they voluntarily sign. Rather than dark,
it is luminescent.